Battelle and Boeing have signed an agreement to bid jointly for the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) management. The laboratories belong to the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, which outsources their management to third parties. A request for proposals was issued on 18 May and final decision is expected by the end of the year.

The Sandia Science and Technology Part in Albuquerque,

New Mexico (Photo: Sandia National Laboratories)

SNL is a research and development centre, responsible for non-nuclear engineering development of all US nuclear weapons and for systems integration of the nuclear weapons with their delivery vehicles. Battelle and Boeing will team with Texas A&M University System, the University of New Mexico and the University of Texas system. The academic institutions will ensure that technological and engineering capabilities are sustained.

In addition, this initiative will enhance the ties between the academic community, Sandia and the state of New Mexico. More than 2,400 University of New Mexico’s graduates are employed at Sandia.

For Boeing’s President of Global Services & Support, Ed Dolanski, Sandia’s mission is directly aligned with their companies’ missions. "Sandia ensures the U.S. nuclear stockpile is safe, secure, and reliable and can fully support the nation's deterrence policy. Their mission of service to the nation is directly aligned with our team's mission. Battelle's leadership in national lab management and Boeing's leadership in weapons and systems engineering will provide new capabilities to help NNSA more effectively meet their nuclear security objectives."

"UNM and Sandia have shared a strong, multidimensional and strategic research collaboration for many decades, aligned both in proximity and in mission. We believe that our team will strengthen our impact on research in national security and provide many benefits to the local community and the state of New Mexico" according to UNM’s President Robert G. Frank.

The University of Texas system Chancellor, William H. McRaven said: "Partnering with industry and academic leaders in research and development areas that ultimately will help safeguard America is a phenomenal opportunity and the UT System is proud to be doing its part. This collaboration is a perfect fit, leveraging the research power of stellar universities as well as the expertise of Battelle and Boeing to elevate the already remarkable development coming out of Sandia National Laboratories."

Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp, considered the initiative a great opportunity for the institution to serve the nation. He said: "When this opportunity arose, Dr. Kathy Banks, Texas A&M Engineering Vice Chancellor and Dean, and I knew we were in a unique position to serve our nation. Four years ago, our first call was to Battelle, and this ideal team was created. The Texas A&M System has the capabilities, experience, and a history of national service that are unmatched by any other university system. This foundation positions us well as a key partner to lead Sandia National Laboratory to greater technical excellence, and Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, was the key to making this partnership happen."